THE BETRAYAL OF JUDAS AND THE DENIAL OF PETER

The Gospel of Matthew records the sad words of Jesus: The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born (Mat 26:24). Perhaps the betrayal of Judas Iscariot was the greatest pain that our Lord suffered during his Passion. But there is another betrayal that likely rivals it – the threefold denial of Peter: But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” … Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” … At that he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed (Mat 26:69-75).

All of his closest friends, who spent so much time with him, either betrayed him or ran away at the moment of trial. John eventually sneaked back, to be a support to Mary at Calvary. Jesus knew that they would leave him, but the foreknowledge did not make it any less painful. At the moment of his greatest vulnerability they all let him down. If you have ever felt betrayed or let down by someone, you know at least a little bit of how Jesus felt. However, Jesus did not condemn them. To Judas he simply said, Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss? He said nothing to Peter, but with sad eyes turned and looked at him on the other side of the courtyard (Luke 22:48 & 61).

Jesus had said at the Last Supper: The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born (Mat 14:21). Speaking of Judas Iscariot, Jesus knew that not only would he betray him for thirty pieces of silver, but also that he would not repent of his sin, which is why it would have better for him not to have been born. After the arrest of Jesus his betrayer hung himself. This added to his sin, since Judas would have had every opportunity to seek forgiveness, and Christ would have accepted his sorrow.

Peter’s story is completely different. When Jesus predicted that he would deny him three times before the cock crowed, Peter vociferously objected: Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away! (Mat 26:33). After Peter betrayed his promise, realizing what he had done, He went out and began to weep bitterly (Mat 27:75). Nevertheless, he did not despair, and got back together with his fellow disciples. That was when the women of their group came to them and said that the stone was rolled away from the grave where Jesus had been laid, the body was gone, and an angel had told them that he had risen! Peter and John both ran to the grave to check out the story, and when they returned Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of all the disciples and chided their unbelief. In a second apparition Jesus took Peter aside and, to heal the wound of his threefold betrayal, asked him three times if he loved him. Peter was hurt, but affirmed three times, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. And each time Jesus said, Feed my sheep (Jn 21:15-19). In this way he restored Peter’s primacy.

Brothers and sisters, the aftereffect of sin can be worse than the sin itself if it keeps us away from God and his Church. There is such a thing as too much regret, which is rooted in pride. Judas had no humility, but Peter did. Despite his shame, Peter loved Jesus too much to stay away. He faced the pain of his wrongdoing by returning to community – making his way back to the Upper Room to be with the other disciples – and was then in a position to be forgiven and restored when the Risen Christ appeared among them. God gives us second chances, and more. Let us pray for the faith and humility to accept them.